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2023 Graduation

Pirates1991

Pirates1991

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Jan 17, 2018
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So the school announced that the speaker for Graduation will be Archbishop of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia!!!!!

I am sure that the graduating class is super excited on this one and sure that they will be able to relate to anything he has to say. What does Seton Hall and all other Univ that bring in these types of speakers think ?
 
It's pathetic even it this person is the best speaker in the world. Super memorable for these kids and something they are going to want to brag about to their friends.
 
donnie_baseball said:
Seton Hall apparently thought enough to bring him in? If I were attending, I'd think that I'd hear what he has to say before posting ill-informed, sarcastic messages to a basketball message board.
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Donniebaseball - give it a rest with your sarcastic message to a "basketball message board" - go read 1/4 of the posts on this site and they are non baskeball related.

I did the research and after you do, answer the question in terms of how will the majority of 21 years old related this this individual. He is a great accomplished individual BUT that does not mean the audience will relate. Get Bob Ley, Scott Chesney, John Fanta or Anna Negron or anyone who is has a Seton Hall Univ connection, someon who has accomplished major things in life and how has walked in their shoes on campus.
 
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I'm not sure I understand; is the objection to this speaker about Seton Hall's insistence that it remains an actual university, dedicated to the sharing of complex and/or difficult ideas? To a class of graduates that has just completed a rigorous course of education buttressed by those same ideals? Should they not be even slightly interested in this man's perspective on one of the defining world events of their time on campus?

If not, then that probably is an issue for Seton Hall, or at least its ability to prepare its graduates to consider complex topics. If you would rather pony up to have Snooki address graduates, she's probably available that day, too.

But didn't we collectively (and appropriately) roast Rutgers for inviting her to speak? We can't have it both ways.
 
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SHUSource said:
I'm not sure I understand; is the objection to this speaker about Seton Hall's insistence that it remains an actual university, dedicated to the sharing of complex and/or difficult ideas? To a class of graduates that has just completed a rigorous course of education buttressed by those same ideals? Should they not be even slightly interested in this man's perspective on one of the defining world events of their time on campus?

If not, then that probably is an issue for Seton Hall, or at least its ability to prepare its graduates to consider complex topics. If you would rather pony up to have Snooki address graduates, she's probably available that day, too.

But didn't we collectively (and appropriately) roast Rutgers for inviting her to speak? We can't have it both ways.
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man, if only theres a middle ground between a ukranian archbishop and snooki. if we dont like those two, were basically out of options!
 
SHUSA said:
man, if only theres a middle ground between a ukranian archbishop and snooki. if we dont like those two, were basically out of options!
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I hear you and I understand, but given the magnitude of the occasion, I'm OK with it if Seton Hall tries to assert some intellectual leadership here and there. The role of the speaker isn't really to entertain, you know. Ideally, they will, while also presenting remarks of some actual substance. I don't know anything about this guy besides his title, but I wouldn't assume he'll be a dud. I've been to a thousand college commencements and I've been very surprised -- for good and for bad -- by a great many of the speakers.

Also: Seton Hall's unimpressive admittance standards ensure that a good number of dopes and dullards manage to graduate every year, but as far as constituencies go, that's not the segment I'm most concerned with accommodating at this event.
 
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This does seem like there would be interesting, topical points. Thinking back to my own in 2005, I have no clue what his name was, but I think he was a poet of some kind. I have no recollection of what he said other than my dad asking me if I was listening as he thought it was a very good speech. He was less than thrilled with my confirmation that I was more concerned with if I would get a chance to hit the beach ball up in the air.
 
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SHUSource said:
I hear you and I understand, but given the magnitude of the occasion, I'm OK with it if Seton Hall tries to assert some intellectual leadership here and there. The role of the speaker isn't really to entertain, you know. Ideally, they will, while also presenting remarks of some actual substance. I don't know anything about this guy besides his title, but I wouldn't assume he'll be a dud. I've been to a thousand college commencements and I've been very surprised -- for good and for bad -- by a great many of the speakers.

Also: Seton Hall's unimpressive admittance standards ensure that a good number of dopes and dullards manage to graduate every year, but as far as constituencies go, that's not the segment I'm most concerned with accommodating at this event.
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again to my point - graduation should be about the students - how will the majority of 21 years old related this this individual. He is a great accomplished individual BUT that does not mean the audience will relate. Get Bob Ley, Scott Chesney, John Fanta or Anna Negron or anyone who is has a Seton Hall Univ connection, someone who has accomplished major things in life and how has walked in their shoes on campus.
 
I guess new grads aren't interested in the Ukraine war or communism or how they can help Ukrainians or how religion and politics intersect or how you should pray for your enemies etc. Frankly I'd like to see this guy speak.

But I guess we should always cater to the crowd and give them the Tick Tock US CEO or maybe we have a rapper speak to them or better how about someone on DEI or let's get a movie star - they seem to know everything. Give the guy a shot - Notre Dame did. I remember going to my sisters graduation at William Paterson and they had a marine biologist speak about a lobster that she followed underwater for 20 minutes straight. That was bad. This doesn't sound that bad to me. Now if you tell me they aren't doing fun stuff with the grads the week of graduation, to me that is a problem. I remember back to our week of graduation and how much fun that was. Like Shuttle said, half the kids won't pay attention anyway.
 
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SHUSource said:
I'm not sure I understand; is the objection to this speaker about Seton Hall's insistence that it remains an actual university, dedicated to the sharing of complex and/or difficult ideas? To a class of graduates that has just completed a rigorous course of education buttressed by those same ideals? Should they not be even slightly interested in this man's perspective on one of the defining world events of their time on campus?

If not, then that probably is an issue for Seton Hall, or at least its ability to prepare its graduates to consider complex topics. If you would rather pony up to have Snooki address graduates, she's probably available that day, too.

But didn't we collectively (and appropriately) roast Rutgers for inviting her to speak? We can't have it both ways.
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You equate Bob Ley, Scott Chesney, John Fanta or Anna Negron or anyone who is has a Seton Hall University connection with Snooki!? Wow! Great way to insult accomplished alums!

I have no problem with the Archbishop speaking at graduation and I’d have no problem with any of the alumni mentioned speaking at graduation either. Snooki!? Yeah, that one is a hard pass, thanks but no thanks! I want someone with an IQ higher than that of a blade of grass.
 
No, it's more about pushing back on the idea of the commencement speaker being strictly there to entertain students (which is not the purpose of the speaker, by the way). I thought the additional context I supplied made this plain. Ideally, it is someone with some topical interest who can inspire and also challenge those in attendance, including, but not solely, the students. Also, a new or fresh voice. Everyone has heard from Ley and Fanta, and Chesney makes his living by being a motivational speaker. All been done. Anna Negron is multitalented, but what is her topical message?

I'm not saying the Ukrainian archbishop is a slam dunk. I have no idea. But on paper, he's got the potential to deliver. But he's got the substance, the timeliness, and hasn't been heard from by our community. We talk about having to keep going to the same well of donors, so why do we want to do the exact same thing with our speakers?
 
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SHUSource said:
No, it's more about pushing back the idea of the commencement speaker being strictly there to entertain students (which is not the purpose of the speaker, by the way). I thought the additional context I supplied made this plain. Ideally, it is someone with some topical interest who can inspire and also challenge those in attendance, including, but not solely, the students. Also, a new or fresh voice. Everyone has heard from Ley and Fanta, and Chesney makes his living by being a motivational speaker. All been done. Anna Negron is multitalented, but what is her topical message?

I'm not saying the Ukrainian archbishop is a slam dunk. I have no idea. But on paper, he's got the potential to deliver. But he's got the substance, the timeliness, and hasn't been heard from by our community. We talk about having to keep going to the same well of donors, so why do we want to do the exact same thing with our speakers?
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Source, you are on an exceptionally high plane here. Keep it going. Great posts.
 
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Pirates1991 said:
again to my point - graduation should be about the students - how will the majority of 21 years old related this this individual. He is a great accomplished individual BUT that does not mean the audience will relate. Get Bob Ley, Scott Chesney, John Fanta or Anna Negron or anyone who is has a Seton Hall Univ connection, someone who has accomplished major things in life and how has walked in their shoes on campus.
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Can somebody fill me in on the John Fanta obsession on this board?
 
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HallGuy23 said:
Can somebody fill me in on the John Fanta obsession on this board?
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I think he's given us a lot to be proud of: A young guy, only five or so years out of Seton Hall, who has emerged as a budding star on FS1, calling some big Big East games. He's definitely a credit to the university that gave him space and opportunities to grow into a professional caliber broadcaster.

We just can't go to him for Every. Single. Thing.
 
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SHUSource said:
No, it's more about pushing back the idea of the commencement speaker being strictly there to entertain students (which is not the purpose of the speaker, by the way). I thought the additional context I supplied made this plain. Ideally, it is someone with some topical interest who can inspire and also challenge those in attendance, including, but not solely, the students. Also, a new or fresh voice. Everyone has heard from Ley and Fanta, and Chesney makes his living by being a motivational speaker. All been done. Anna Negron is multitalented, but what is her topical message?

I'm not saying the Ukrainian archbishop is a slam dunk. I have no idea. But on paper, he's got the potential to deliver. But he's got the substance, the timeliness, and hasn't been heard from by our community. We talk about having to keep going to the same well of donors, so why do we want to do the exact same thing with our speakers?
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I wasn’t disagreeing with your message, you are absolutely correct. Where I had the problem was where you were equating some of our successful alums with Snooki. That’s insulting to those alums and what they have accomplished.
 
SHUSource said:
I think he's given us a lot to be proud of: A young guy, only five or so years out of Seton Hall, who has emerged as a budding star on FS1, calling some big Big East games. He's definitely a credit to the university that gave him space and opportunities to grow into a professional caliber broadcaster.

We just can't go to him for Every. Single. Thing.
Click to expand...

Okay that’s what I figured. I’m sure he’s as nice as all you say, however, this coincides with some of the posters talking about their college experience.

Lots of posters on here celebrate Mr. Fanta just because he was able to obtain a job in his field of practice? That should be more normal that it isn’t something to celebrate.

Just being on TV is overvalued. Why aren’t we bringing back other graduates who work in their field of study?
 
My grad class (2016) didn’t have a commencement speaker. I guess beggars can’t be choosers.
 
HallGuy23 said:
Okay that’s what I figured. I’m sure he’s as nice as all you say, however, this coincides with some of the posters talking about their college experience.

Lots of posters on here celebrate Mr. Fanta just because he was able to obtain a job in his field of practice? That should be more normal that it isn’t something to celebrate.

Just being on TV is overvalued. Why aren’t we bringing back other graduates who work in their field of study?
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I celebrate him because he is a great person. Professional success is only a bonus.
 
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Commencement speakers are overrated unless you bring a real heavy hitter (ex POTUS, distinguished alum from the University, etc..). If you can’t bring them in, let the President of the Univ do it along with the Head of BOR.
 
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SHUSource said:
No, it's more about pushing back the idea of the commencement speaker being strictly there to entertain students (which is not the purpose of the speaker, by the way). I thought the additional context I supplied made this plain. Ideally, it is someone with some topical interest who can inspire and also challenge those in attendance, including, but not solely, the students. Also, a new or fresh voice. Everyone has heard from Ley and Fanta, and Chesney makes his living by being a motivational speaker. All been done. Anna Negron is multitalented, but what is her topical message?

I'm not saying the Ukrainian archbishop is a slam dunk. I have no idea. But on paper, he's got the potential to deliver. But he's got the substance, the timeliness, and hasn't been heard from by our community. We talk about having to keep going to the same well of donors, so why do we want to do the exact same thing with our speakers?
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SHU Sources - many comments are acknowledged but something that sticks out to me... The commencement speaker is not there to entertain the students..... who is he/she there for ? If graduation is not for the students then who is it for?

Someone else asked about other graduating activities -- lets just say that it is not like it was when we were in school. As Seniors we had a the campus to ourselves for a 3 day span (not sure how they did this ) we had the pub night and parents joined us, we had a huge bbq, we had pub crawls and/or events with the local establishments, we had a senior cruise around NY, we had a formal etc..
 
Pirates1991 said:
SHU Sources - many comments are acknowledged but something that sticks out to me... The commencement speaker is not there to entertain the students..... who is he/she there for ? If graduation is not for the students then who is it for?
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This seems to be the thinking. We always have to entertain. Kind of sad.

I'd say the graduation speaker for a Catholic University like SHU is there to challenge the grads to go out and do great things. To contribute to society. To challenge themselves and grow and make the world a better place. To serve others and make bold discoveries. Entertain? Are we an acting school?
 
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Section112 said:
This seems to be the thinking. We always have to entertain. Kind of sad.

I'd say the graduation speaker for a Catholic University like SHU is there to challenge the grads to go out and do great things. To contribute to society. To challenge themselves and grow and make the world a better place. To serve others and make bold discoveries. Entertain? Are we an acting school?
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Well said. Seems absurd to me that a commencement speaker’s purpose should be to entertain.
 
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Section112 said:
This seems to be the thinking. We always have to entertain. Kind of sad.

I'd say the graduation speaker for a Catholic University like SHU is there to challenge the grads to go out and do great things. To contribute to society. To challenge themselves and grow and make the world a better place. To serve others and make bold discoveries. Entertain? Are we an acting school?
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I think that should be the case for every university.
 
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SHU Sources is the one who used the word entertain... I believe that the speaker needs to be able to connect to the students. Just not sure how this individual, while very well accomplished and ND had his speak, connects to the majority of the students.

I will let you all know how it went!
 
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